Today, Fast Company described new research from scientists who have found a way to utilize DNA to send huge amounts of data between cells. Essentially, this allows them the ability to have one cell give instructions to another.Now, like we use the Internet and social networks to communicate with one another, scientists could someday “hack” cells to do the same thing. This discovery has allowed scientists to use with “M13 communication system” to “wraps up strands of DNA (programmed by scientists) and sends them out in proteins that infect cells and release the DNA messages once they have gained entry.” Using this communications system, scientists can send whatever they want in the DNA.While this technology has limited applications now, down the line it could allow scientists the ability to engineer tissue or create artificial organs and biomaterials. Even though it’s in its earliest stages, people are starting to call this the “biological Internet.”To me, this seems like something straight out of sci-fi movie (plot: someone hacks your cells and can make you do whatever they want to fulfill their evil scheme). But, realistically, the implications of this are huge—what if healthy cells could one day send a message to diseased cells telling them how to repair themselves? It may seem far off, but if your cells can send novels back and forth at a whim, what’s to stop them?See More

Picture this. You’re showering and feel an irregular lump somewhere on your body. A lifetime of public service announcements tells you that you should see a doctor. But, your own fear keeps you from making that phone call. Instead of getting it checked out, you let the idea of what it could be become your life.What if you didn’t need to make that frightening trip to the doctor’s office? What if, instead, you could slip on a glove that could immediately give yourself an accurate diagnosis of the problem from your home? It may seem far fetched, but we’re closer than you think. Recently, two engineers and a Harvard Medical School student developed Med Sensation, a prototype of a glove that aims to quantify touch.While the current iteration of the glove can detect vibrations, sound and temperature, the team hopes to add micro-ultrasounds that will allow all the information derived from a glove-guided examination to be wirelessly transmitted to an outside device. The first goal for Med Sensation will be to help teach doctors proper examination skills; however the potential for such a device is almost limitless.The technology might not be there just yet, but eventually a device like this could empower millions of people worldwide to have a hand in their own healthcare. Now, instead of running to the ER for every issue you encounter, a device like this could act as a first line of preventative care. While self-diagnosis should always be followed up by the opinion of a medical professional, this type of device could help determine major problems from minor ones.There’s even more potential for this when considering the social implications. With talk of EHR’s on the rise, having data from an examination be automatically transmitted to another device is a huge leap toward giving patients access to their own health records.Additionally, social media is becoming an increasingly big platform for advocacy, and what better story than someone who was able to provide themselves the all-important gift of early detection with this device? Sharing this type of story on social media, with a device to back it up, could inspire other users to check themselves for similar issues.As we progress to more personal diagnostics and high-tech medicine, do you think our individual health with improve?See More

Today, Mashable discussed a new social network for doctors which allows physician-peers to connect and discuss cases, problems and patients in a safe community setting.iRounds, the aforementioned social network, describes themselves like this: "iRounds TM was founded to enhance a physician's ability to communicate with their colleagues in a secure and HIPAA compliant format. A company founded by physicians for physicians to add to our online and mobile presence with the ideal that seamless patient care is excellent patient care."The platform has several functionalities, including a web-based and mobile application that allows physicians to keep a live, real-time census of their patients, call schedule, surgical schedule. It also provides doctors the ability to connect with one another to discuss cases, ask for second opinions and simply engage in conversations.How can this be HIPPA compliant, you’re probably asking? The communications that occur within iRounds happen via a secure, encrypted and HIPPA-compliant server. This allows members to openly discuss patients and patient care in a secure manner.In medicine, it’s a well known fact that no one consults or fully trusts only one source. Medicine, and diagnostics, is meant to be collaborative and iRounds allows a quick and easy way for that process to occur. It also opens up the channels of communication for physicians who might not normally get a chance to work together. Even better, physicians can see each other’s publications, specializations, board certifications and other qualifications to enhance the credibility of their opinions.Now, there is a catch. Not all subscriptions to iRounds are free, but there are plenty of options for both doctors and group providers to choose from.How would you feel if your doctor posted about you on a social network, albeit a secure, doctor-focused social network? Would it provide you a sense of comfort knowing they were getting another opinion, or do you think what happens in the doctor’s office should stay in the doctor’s office?See More

According to a recent study, consumers expect to adopt the use of mobile technology in healthcare at a faster rate providers will be able to adapt. The study found that consumers have high expectations for mHealth, namely that it will drastically improve the convenience, cost and quality of their healthcare. Additionally, consumers see mHealth as a way to provide healthcare to markets where access is historically low.Unfortunately, physicians and payers are not so eager to make the jump in to mHealth—nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of doctors and payers said that mHealth offers exciting possibilities but there are too few proven business models. Currently, only 27 percent of physicians are encouraging their patients to use mHealth applications, and 13 percent of physicians actually discourage it.The reason? The healthcare infrastructure of developed markets is too inflexible to accommodate a major change. In the United States, for example, providers are payers are constrained by historical precedence and outdated systems. However, it’s speculated that mHealth will become a major driver of healthcare in developing markets because of the inherent flexibility of their programs.Moving forward, providers and payers will ultimately have to bend on their prior conventions and become more encompassing of consumers preferences—namely owning their healthcare and being able to manage whilst mobile.Are you excited for mHealth to become a part of healthcare, or do you think it’s too much too soon?See More

If you asked me how many calories I ate today, my answer would probably be off. Far off. Not intentionally, of course. But, human nature would make me recount my portions as smaller and might even make me forget that small chocolate chip cookie. It’s human engineering.The same would go for asking me my weight, activity level or even how many drinks I typically have in a week. It’s innocent enough, really just a preservation tactic to make others perceive me as being healthier. I also don’t think I’m alone. I think that most of you reading this probably do the same thing. Go on, admit it. It’s okay.Unfortunately, these small omissions and miscalculations can have serious health implications. The solution? What about a small device that can track this information and automatically feed it to your doctor? Today, Mashable reported on Sonny Vu of Misfit Wearables’ device that would do just that. Vu’s idea is a small, unobtrusive monitoring device that can fit seamlessly in to clothing and objects you already use every day.Vu’s intention is to eliminate the choice in monitoring one’s healthcare—instead making it a background part of day-to-day life, something that an individual user doesn’t have to think about. He also believes that devices like these will help lower healthcare costs, by helping to prevent chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.The device Vu describes would be great for monitoring vital signs like heartbeat and blood pressure and tracking daily activity, but what about more… internal symptoms? Taking Vu’s idea one step forward, what if the device was discreetly implanted on your arm instead of your t-shirt? That would allow it to monitor for much more in-depth data, and the benefits would only increase.The idea may seem off in the distant future, but how far away are we really? I think it could have a great impact on healthcare, allowing doctors to accurately track trends and diagnose illnesses in a way that they’ve never been able to before.If your doctor offered you an implantable tracker, would you do it? See More

Yesterday, Facebook unveiled a new initiative, aimed at encouraging Facebook users to advertise their organ donor status on their Timeline.The move is in an attempt to increase awareness regarding the immense need for organ donors. “Many of those people — an average of 18 people per day –- will die waiting, because there simply aren’t enough organ donors to meet the need,” Facebook notes in a blog entry. “Medical experts believe that broader awareness about organ donation could go a long way toward solving this crisis.” Although stating that you are an organ donor on Facebook carries no real legal weight, the Facebook team hopes that the move will peer-pressure users in to signing up to be a donor at a local registry. Additionally, there is speculation that publicizing your choice on Facebook could ultimately provide the consent to donate needed in a crisis.Thus far, the idea seems to be working. Donate Life California, the group where California Facebook users were sent to register as donors, has reported a 1,300 percent jump in online registration and Facebook announced that they expected to exceed 100,000 declared users in the first day alone.Additionally, Mashable posted a poll yesterday asking users “will Facebook’s efforts drive up organ donor registrations?” With 308 responses, “yes, such is the power of Facebook” is leading with 59.74 percentHowever, the move has started a discussion regarding Facebook’s move toward social engineering—questioning whether Facebook has any place pressuring users to do anything.What do you think, is Facebook’s latest feature a great example of social healthcare or a slippery social of social engineering? Will you register your organ donation status on Facebook?See More

Yesterday, Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post announced a new mobile health application, projected to launch this June: I'm delighted to announce that HuffPost, along with a great team of partners, is at work on an app we call "GPS for the Soul," projected to launch in June. The philosophy behind it is based on two truths about human beings. First, that we all have within us a centered place of wisdom, harmony, and balance. This truth is embraced by a vast range of the world's religions ("The Kingdom of Heaven is within") and philosophies. And whether or not we believe in the existence of the soul, we've all experienced times in which we're fully connected with ourselves. "Give me a place to stand and I will move the world," said the Greek mathematician Archimedes. It's a great way of saying that when we come from that centered place within ourselves, nothing is impossible. The second truth is that we're all going to veer away from that place, again and again and again. That's the nature of life. In fact, we may be off-course more often than we are on-course. Huffington goes on to emphasize that a major contributor to being off-course is the 24/7 nature of the Internet. Yes, the Internet makes it easy to get information, but maybe it’s become too easy. Yes, mobile email makes it convenient to stay connected to our jobs, but might make it too hard to later disconnect. Huffington reasons that if we disconnect from the constant information flow, we’ll be more likely to enjoy our jobs and our lives.“GPS for the Soul” will instantly read several measures of the users stress level, all with a swipe of your smartphone's sensor. With this understanding, the app will then provide something to help reduce your stress level: a breathing exercise, an inspiration photo, a poem, a piece of music or a combination of all.But, what does it mean that in our over-connected world, we need a mobile application to help manage our stress levels? Personally, if I’m trying to decompress and get away from the non-stop information flow the last thing I want to do is pick up my phone again. While this app is supposed to manage stress, I know that I wouldn't be able to resist following up my brief meditation with a quick glance at my email. And, well, at that point I think I'd have to start the whole cycle over again.Do you think “GPS for the Soul” will help with overall health and wellbeing? When the application is released in June, will you download it?See More

On Wednesday Google teased a new video for Project Glass, an application that allows users to experience augmented reality through glasses. While the video (below) focuses on the day to day functionality of the device, there are important implications of the glasses in health care as well.Imagine a doctor walking in to patient’s room. Instead of picking up a chart to read his medical history or looking at a screen to check his vitals, the doctor engages an application in augmented reality and instantly has access to the relevant information. MHealth Insight has a great visual representation of what this could look like on their blog:In addition, Project Glass could skyrocket the way patients use mHealth. Although consumers are already becoming more empowered through mHealth, augmented reality would increase it dramatically. Imagine walking down a pharmacy aisle while looking for an allergy medication. Instead of wondering and worrying if it will negatively interact with a medication you currently take, you use your glasses to get that information instantaneously—problem solved.Augmented reality also has big implications for rural areas. For patients who may not have the resources or the ability to reach a doctor in person, Project Glass would allow them to quickly and easily video-chat with someone who can help them remotely. Oh hello peace of mind, it’s nice to meet you!Personally, I would love to be able to look at a plate of food and have my glasses instantly provide me with nutritional information. Then having the ability to share that with my friends for a bit of inspiration and support (step away from the cheeseburger!).Google is inviting interested users to follow Project Glass on Google+ to learn about the latest updates and provide suggestions for the development of this technology.What do you think? Is augmented reality the next big thing in health care?See More

If you’re anything like me, the Internet is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to your general health and wellbeing. If you’re anything like me, you think it’s a brilliant idea to immediately Google any symptom you find yourself experiencing. If you’re anything like me, “I have this weird pain in my leg” quickly turns in to “WebMD says I have osteomyelitis and I’m going to have to get an amputation!” Ahem.A new study in Psychological Science actually proved that when looking up diagnoses on the Internet, we’re more likely to irrationally infer meanings from a “streak.” This, according to the Huffington Post, is “when a number of our symptoms are listed consecutively on a website.”So there’s the curse. The blessing is that Google, WebMD and social media have allowed you, the patient, to become empowered in your healthcare. It used to be common to go in to a doctor’s appointment, rattle off symptoms and then fill a prescription for the medication that will supposedly cure a mysterious illness you can’t even pronounce. Now, you have the opportunity to do some background research, see what your symptoms could correlate to, and then look in to potential treatment options.Clearly this poses a “catch-22” of sorts where you are more prone to self-diagnose yourself and then, panic-stricken, run to your doctor to cure your osteomyelitis (please, doc, anything but my leg!) The important thing is to remember that your doctor went to medical school for years, whereas the person in that Yahoo! forum likely didn’t. The Internet is a great resource for doing some general information gathering, but as a consistent practice you should never assume anything about your health without consulting a medical professional.(In the interest of full disclosure, you aren’t the only one Googling your symptoms. 46% of doctors recently admitted to using Google and Yahoo! to treat, diagnose and care for their patients.)Do you Google your symptoms? Do you find that it makes you more paranoid about your health? Now, excuse me because I think I feel an ache in my shoulder that I need to Google…See More